'Yes, Miss Honey,' said Matilda.
'Well, can you multiply all the way up to twelve?' said Miss Honey. 'What are twelve sevens?'
'Eighty-four,' said Matilda.
Miss Honey tried to stay calm. 'Multiply fourteen by nineteen... no, that's too difficult,' she said.
'It's two hundred and sixty-six,' said Matilda.
Miss Honey was careful not to show that she was very, very surprised.
'Who taught you to multiply like this, Matilda?' she asked.
'Was it your father?' asked Miss Honey.